Chapter 11

The rain came down in sheets. It drummed on the thick, lush greenery around them, turning the jungle into a steamy hothouse.

It was the worst kind of weather for tracking. The trails that Taryn and his warriors were following were already challenging to follow, the humans pulling out every trick they could to hide their trails. Now, with the heavy rain, those trails were being washed away entirely.

Taryn clenched his hands into fists at his sides. The humans were getting further and further away from them. They had landed secretly, gathered explosives, and now were heading to their target.

And right now, there was nothing he could do about it.

He wasn"t the only one feeling frustrated. In the shelter of the cave, the rest of his warriors were slowly going stir-crazy.

Jorah paced back and forth, Worrack trying to ignore him. Krye was sharpening his blade, the sound of metal against stone grating on everyone"s nerves. Soren sat with his back against the cave wall, his face drawn with the remains of the venom still in his system. Under Taryn"s care, he"d shook off the worst of the venom, but the aftereffects left him listless and nauseated.

And then there was Rhys. The human sat next to Taryn, his eyes fixed on the rain outside. Tension coiled through him, plain for Taryn to see. He was like a trapped animal, wanting out.

But there was nowhere for him to go.

And that was becoming a problem.

Taryn was running out of the salve that blocked his scent. Busy treating Soren"s injury over the last few days, they"d run through their supply. Now, they were trying to make it stretch, but the effects were getting weaker.

The young warriors were growing increasingly distracted.

They were too well-trained to openly show their growing hunger for the sweet, entrancing scent that filled the air around Rhys. But too many times, Taryn caught them inhaling deeply, their eyes half-closing in pleasure.

It was a distraction he couldn"t allow.

Taryn rubbed a hand over his face, feeling the beginnings of a headache building behind his eyes. If this rain kept up, they were all going to go mad before they caught up to their quarry.

Taryn leaned back against the cave wall, feigning a casual posture. From beneath the cover of his lashes, he let his gaze slide over to Rhys.

The human"s eyes were fixed on the rain, his jaw set. He was still upset about being abandoned by his people, that much was clear. But there was something else to his isolation, a deeper edge to the way he sometimes looked at the rest of the Borraq.

Underneath the distraction of the human"s scent, underneath the heady lure that made it hard for Taryn"s warriors to tear their minds away from him, there was a thread of a different tension running through Rhys.

Tension that had nothing to do with anyone but Taryn.

Rhys"s gaze was fixed on the rain, his hands absentmindedly fiddling with the hem of his shirt. Despite the clothing covering his skin, his scent was like a beacon in the hot, damp air, driving Taryn"s senses half-mad.

At his side, Rhys leaned a little closer, the movement so subtle that none of the other warriors noticed. His shoulder brushed against Taryn"s arm, a wordless request for reassurance.

Taryn"s eyes snapped open, surprise flashing through him. Despite himself, his heart thudded with the sudden, electric contact.

Ever since that night at the campfire, something had changed between them. Rhys had broken down, knowing that he was now trapped on Vasz for good, and Taryn"s instincts had called for him to comfort him. Despite himself, Taryn felt a surge of protectiveness.

Taryn hated humans. This one particular human, though…

Rhys was his responsibility. His duty.

And he always carried out his duty.

But at the same time, the human"s proximity was a siren call. His scent was maddening, his presence a constant distraction. It was a test of Taryn"s self-control, one that he was rapidly failing.

Days ago, in the heat of the jungle, Rhys had nearly crossed a line that could not be uncrossed. He"d touched Taryn"s horns. Rhys had just been curious, that was all. Taryn was the one that was defiling Rhys with his thoughts, reading into his innocent actions.

Taryn had nearly given in to his desires, desires that warred against everything he believed in. He was an honorable Borraq, second-in-command of his clan. If he took advantage of Rhys"s trust… he"d be no better than the humans that he hunted.

But gods, the temptation of the human was unlike anything he"d ever experienced. The softness of Rhys"s touch, the way his green eyes had held a playful curiosity, lingering on Taryn…

Taryn rose to his feet, the movement casual. "I"m going to check the perimeter," he announced to the rest of the warriors.

None of his charges spared him a glance in response. Rhys, however, gave him a quick, sharp look, as if he sensed that Taryn"s escape ran deeper than a simple patrol.

Ignoring the human"s gaze, Taryn made his way to the mouth of the cave, the rain drumming down on his golden skin. He stepped out into the deluge, seeking the cleansing distraction of the storm.

The thick, humid air enveloped him, the scent of wet earth and greenery filling his lungs. The rain hammered down, obscuring Taryn"s senses and forcing him to be alone with nothing but his own thoughts.

Or nothing but his own desires.

In the depths of the jungle, Taryn allowed himself to picture a different kind of future. One where the human at his side wasn"t a distraction or a burden, but… something else. A man who laughed at Taryn"s dry jokes, who gazed at him with eyes full of trust, who—

Taryn shook his head, the movement lost in the roar of the storm. He was going mad, entertaining foolish dreams that could never come true. He was a Borraq, second-in-command of his clan. He was tasked with nothing but the pursuit of honor and the protection of his people.

And the human at his side was nothing but a means to an end, a tool to be used in pursuit of a goal. Not a companion — not a partner.

Something that Taryn could never have.

With a growl, he struck out at the nearest tree, his fist impacting the thick trunk. The wood splintered beneath his blow, sap oozing out from the wound.

Great. Now he was acting like a young hot-headed cub.

In the heart of the storm, with the sound of the rain covering his frustration, Taryn leaned his forehead against the ruined tree. What kind of Borraq was he becoming, to entertain such foolishness?

A Borraq like Rael, perhaps.

The leader of Taryn"s own clan was a man that Taryn would follow into the depths of any jungle, or the heart of any battle. Rael"s focus and dedication to his people were unmatched.

But there was one thing that set Rael apart from every other Borraq alpha in the galaxy: the fact that he"d chosen a human as his mate.

Elian was a kind creature, with a spirit that saw wonder in the most ordinary of things. Whenever Taryn saw the pair of them together, it was clear that Rael felt his life was enriched by the human at his side.

But such a thing was unfathomable to Taryn. He was a warrior, born and raised. His life was nothing but battles and hunts, the protection of his people and the pursuit of honor.

And yet… and yet…

In the heart of the jungle, with the rain pouring down, a different kind of yearning stirred within him. Was it truly so impossible to imagine having a partner at his side, someone to share in the lighter moments of life?

And if such a thing was possible, was it truly so impossible for that partner to be a human with green eyes and a quick wit?

The sound of voices cut through the drumming of the rain.

Taryn"s head snapped up, and he rushed back into the cave — and when he got there, a growl tore itself from his throat.

"This is all your fault!" Krye had Rhys cornered, the human"s back against the cave wall. His sharp, hungry gaze was fixed on the beat of Rhys" pulse, clearly visible on the pale column of his throat. Rhys"s jaw was set in a defiant line, but there was a hint of desperation in his eyes as he looked between Krye and the entrance of the cave.

The other warriors were on their feet, but they were frozen in place: torn between loyalty to their second-in-command, and the distracting scent that filled their senses, setting their blood aflame for action — for violence or for something else.

Taryn didn"t hesitate. With a single stride, he was between Krye and Rhys. "Back, Krye."

Krye"s gaze snapped over to Taryn, and for a moment, the young warrior"s eyes blazed with challenge. His sharp features were drawn with a mix of hunger and frustration, his pupils blown wide.

Taryn"s warriors were well-trained, but they were still young. They were still untested. It was clear that Krye was reaching the limits of his self-control, and he was seeking to test his leader.

Taryn didn"t hesitate. He brought his full strength to bear in a single look, stepping forward into Krye"s personal space, his eyes boring into Krye"s…

The young warrior"s defiance wavered, and for a moment, his features softened, his pupils shrinking back to their normal size.

Good. In the blink of an eye, Taryn put a hand on Krye"s shoulder, spinning him away from Rhys and shoving him back towards the entrance of the cave. "Out— and the rest of you, too."

The other young warriors were still torn, their gazes fixed on the human. But Krye"s distraction had broken the spell that had held them in place. With the clear display of their second-in-command"s power, none of them dared to disobey. They filed out of the cave after Krye, dismissed.

Taryn was left alone with Rhys. The human"s chest rose and fell with quick breaths, and his green eyes were fixed on Taryn"s face. His scent was spiked with the unmistakable tang of fear. "Are you unharmed?" Taryn asked?

"Huh? Oh, yeah." Rhys tried to muster a carefree smile. "He was just arguing with the others, and then he tried to blame us being stuck here on me. Your boys are pretty dumb, Taryn — I don"t make the rain. Then he got a little closer and all scary… I don"t think he meant to…"

In that moment, as the human looked up at him with those wide eyes, something else stirred within Taryn. He"d felt it before: in the depths of the jungle, in the moments before he"d nearly crossed a line that could not be uncrossed, in the restless nights when he"d found himself unable to tear his thoughts away from the human at his side…

It was that protectiveness, something that ran deeper than duty. It was a desire to ensure that no harm befell the human, no matter the reason. It was instinctual, an urge that went down right to his bones.

The need to protect what was his.

Taryn turned to Rhys, his expression unreadable. "Gather your things," he said, his deep voice rumbling through the cave. "We"re moving out."

"Huh?" Rhys blinked up at him, surprise and a hint of fear flickering across his features. "In this?"

"In this."

Rhys looked confused and wary. And yet, as Rhys met Taryn"s steady gaze, some of the tension eased from his shoulders. There was a glimmer of trust there, fragile but undeniable.

With a small nod, Rhys began gathering his meager share of the supplies, his movements quick and efficient. Taryn watched Rhys for a moment longer, his jaw clenched. Then he turned and strode from the cave, leaving Rhys to follow in his wake.

Outside, the humid air of the jungle pressed in close, the sounds of the rainfall a constant roar. Taryn"s warriors were gathered in a loose semicircle under the meager shelter of a tree, their sleek golden skins gleaming in the murky stormlight that filtered through the canopy.

As Taryn approached, they straightened, their expressions a mix of eagerness and wariness. Krye, in particular, held himself apart from the others, his sharp features drawn into a sullen scowl.

Taryn"s senses were too sharp, his focus too honed, for him to be unaware of anything that happened in his presence.

And right now, every single one of his young warriors was distracted by the scent of the human.

Worrack looked pensive, brow creased in unease. Beside him, Soren"s fingers drummed against his leg, a restless motion. Even Jorah, who was doing his best to focus on sharpening his blades, kept casting quick, intent looks toward Rhys, even as the human tried to shrink back behind Taryn.

They were good warriors, loyal to a fault. They were here to aid Taryn in his pursuit. But despite their best efforts, they were still young, still untested. The temptation of the human was too much for them to bear.

Taryn accepted the inevitable conclusion of the situation.

He was going to have to send the young warriors away.

It was a bitter realization. The task ahead of them was important — numerous lives hung in the balance. They needed to hunt down the humans before they could do something reckless.

But there was no other choice. The distraction of the human"s scent was too much for the young warriors to bear. If they stayed in his presence a moment longer, their discipline was going to crack.

"You"re going to stay in the cave tonight," he commanded. "But in the morning, you"re to head back to the village."

The young warriors sprang up, dismay written over their features. "But, Taryn!" Soren protested. "We"re in the middle of a hunt! The humans—"

"You"ve done well," Taryn interrupted. "Thanks to your efforts, we"ve managed to get far. But now, the task at hand has grown too difficult. I need to send you back to the clan."

Worrack"s sharp features were drawn with worry. "But catching the bombers—"

"Is my duty," Taryn said firmly. "You"re to head back to the clan, and warn Rael about what"s happening. Raise reinforcements. It"s clear that this is no longer a simple hunt."

"Warn Rael about what, exactly?" Krye asked, his sharp gaze fixed on Taryn. There was no hint of the distraction that had filled him moments ago, only a wounded, hurt frustration. "About the fact that we can"t control ourselves in the presence of a human? About the fact that we"re too weak to carry out our duties?"

"Krye…" Jorah protested, but Taryn held up a hand to silence him.

"Your discipline has not been lacking," he said firmly. "The distraction is a difficulty that any untrained warrior would face. You"ve all done well, and I"m proud to have led you. But now, you"re to head back to the clan. That"s an order."

Krye"s jaw was set in a line, but he nodded. Slowly, unhappily, the young warriors filed back into the cave.

And then Taryn and Rhys were alone in the jungle. "Come," Taryn said. "We will find somewhere else to camp."

Taryn gestured for Rhys to follow, and the human obeyed. The weight of the situation was clear in the tense set of Rhys"s shoulders, the way his green eyes stayed down.

As they stepped out of the shelter of the tree, the heavy rain immediately began to plaster Rhys"s dark curls to his forehead. He shivered, hugging his thin shirt closer to his body as he followed in Taryn"s wake.

"I"m sorry," Rhys said, his voice nearly lost in the drumming of the rain against the canopy above them. "I didn"t mean to cause any trouble."

Taryn glanced back at him, his sharp features unreadable in the dim light. "You didn"t cause anything," he said, his deep voice rumbling.

Rhys frowned, his brow furrowing. "But if I hadn"t been there—"

"My warriors are good men," Taryn said, his tone firm. "But they"re young, and they"re untested. The temptation was too much for them to fight."

He glanced back at Rhys, his sharp eyes unreadable. "That"s not a failing on their part, or yours. It"s simply the way things are."

Rhys swallowed hard, his throat bobbing. Despite the rain plastering his curls to his forehead, his scent was thick in the air, teasing at the edges of Taryn"s senses. It was a heady, maddening thing, a distraction that Taryn had been trained to ignore from birth.

But even he had to admit that it was a powerful temptation. For his young warriors, still untested and untempered by experience, the distraction must have been unbearable.

It was distracting to him, too.

As if he could read Taryn"s thoughts, Rhys spoke, a wry half-smile on his face. "Sorry, big guy," he said, his voice soft. "I know this can"t be easy for you either, having me around."

The words were simple enough, but Taryn could sense the fear that ran through them, questions that Rhys was too scared to voice.

Will you turn on me, too?

Like everyone else?

Taryn didn"t reply for a long moment. The only sound was the steady drum of the rain and the crunch of their boots against the jungle floor. "You"re my duty. And I don"t abandon my duty, no matter the cost."

He turned back to Rhys, his sharp features set in a firm line. "I need you to trust me, Rhys. Can you do that?"

Rhys blinked up at him, his green eyes wide. For a moment, Taryn could see the hesitation flickering across his features, the lingering memory of Krye"s hungry gaze and the knowledge that Taryn"s own warriors had nearly turned on him.

But then, slowly, Rhys nodded. "I trust you," he said, his voice soft but certain.

Taryn felt something in his chest loosen. He knew that it was a big thing to ask, especially after the events of the day. But despite everything, Rhys was still willing to put his trust in Taryn"s hands.

Taryn nodded. With that, he turned and began to pick his way through the jungle once more. Rhys followed in his wake, his steps a little more certain now, his shoulders a little less tense.

Taryn set his jaw, his sharp gaze fixed on the path ahead. He would see both of his duties through, no matter the cost. He had the strength, the determination, the focus to make it happen.

All he needed was Rhys"s trust.

And somehow, against all odds, the human had given it to him.